Online talk radio attracts over 2.6 million listeners each month and practically all of them listen to Katie Davis’s new show, Brain Burps About Books. (Okay. Not really.) But if they did, achieving her ultimate goal would be a lot easier – to get kids excited about reading and writing.

As long as it’s about kidlit, it’s fair game for the free 5-15 minute show. One episode might focus on sharing writing tips and advice, another might be all about supporting teachers who are passionate about using books in exciting new ways. There will be shows for illustrators, with accompanying images on Katie’s blog, and there are numerous ‘fly-on-the-wall’ conversations through her author-to-author interviews.

Katie’s passion for talking about children’s books started out as a selfish mission. “I was trying to promote my own books but after awhile, it gets pretty boring to only be talking about yourself. I started promoting other people’s books, which ended up being much more rewarding – though it’s still selfish since it makes me feel good to do it!”

After appearing on the ABC affiliate show Good Morning, Connecticut to talk about one of her own books, Davis began monthly TV appearances, recommending great books for kids. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to get the word out, but I wanted to do more. I started a newsletter with author interviews including never-before-known factoids, the video clip from the show and other links, and now that goes to
about 2000 subscribers. The podcast further serves my goal – and I’m hoping there’ll be a ripple effect.”

To create that ripple, Katie has a toll-free number for feedback and questions. Leave a voice message at 888-522-1929 and she can bring it into the show. The app, available in iTunes, will automatically update with each new free episode, which will often include exclusive bonus features like a how-to video, a PDF of tips or reproducible art.

“I’ve only just begun”, Davis says, “but I plan to include useable information in every episode. Like for that teacher who needs ‘book extenders’ for her classroom … or tips for an aspiring children’s writer who’d like to know the inside scoop … or feedback for a published author who wants to hear from booksellers, agents, and editors. Even if someone simply needs great book recommendations for the children in his or her life, I hope Brain Burps About Books will be a great resource.”

If all that hasn’t convinced you to give it a listen, School Library Journal blogger, reviewer, and New York Public children’s librarian Betsy Bird supplies a regular exclusive review.

And now, Katie is launching an iphone application to let people subscribe to her podcasts and seamlessly listen to them on their iphones! The App costs $1.99 – but you have a chance to win it here for free!

So here’s the contest, for your chance to win a Free iphone app for Katie Davis’ Brain Burps:

Leave a comment with what you would like Katie to cover in a future podcast. Wanna more about school visits? Wanna have her interview a specific author? Have a question for an editor you’d like Katie to get the answer to?

The winner will be randomly drawn from those leaving comments next Wednesday (August 25th) at 8pm Pacific Time – so just leave your thoughts at her site.
Katie Davis is the author/illustrator of Who Hops? and Kindergarten Rocks!www.katiedavis.com

Elizabeth Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

Podcasty Goodness

About A Fuse #8 Production

Features everything from librarian previews of upcoming children's books to news, reviews, and videos. If it has something to do with children's literature, it will rate a mention here.

Betsy Bird is the Youth Materials Specialist of New York Public Library. She's reviewed for The New York Times and Kirkus, writes articles for Horn Book and SLJ, and wrote the picture book Giant Dance Party. You can contact her at Fusenumber8@gmail.com or follow her on . . .